In our homeschool, English is a blend of structured curriculum and organic learning moments throughout the day. We use The Good and the Beautiful for both English and handwriting. I love the simplicity and depth of these programs, and they work well for my kids. Alongside this, I’ve created my own copy work practice that introduces a new word each day. My kids write the word, its definition, and then use it in a sentence. It’s a simple way to expand their vocabulary without overwhelming them. Plus I can adapt it for each kid. My eldest writes the wrote and the sentence, and my middle just focuses on writing the word. As they get older I can reuse and expand their individual expectations.
Our reading routine is one of my favorite parts of the day. Every night before bed, I read to each of my kids individually. Bug is currently engrossed in ‘Impossible Creatures,’ a captivating chapter book that we’ve both been enjoying. Bear picks out a book from her library bag — sometimes it’s a picture book, other times it’s a mini chapter book or a page from her beloved Animal Encyclopedia. Buddy usually requests one of his favorite picture books, and we read it together as he winds down for the night.
If you read my early blog posts, I mentioned that we were doing English after lunch. But — and this is so typical of me — I’ve already adjusted that a bit. With the chaos of our remodel, I found that doing English right after math works much better. It keeps us in that focused academic zone a little longer and allows for a more relaxed, unstructured afternoon.
Run Teach Bike 